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Chen C, Chen L, Liu X, Ma S, Chen K. Study on anti-BmNPV mechanism of branched-chain amino acid aminotransferases in silkworm. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 156:105183. [PMID: 38636699 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2024.105183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is the most important virus that threatens sericulture industry. At present, there is no effective treatment for BmNPV infection in silkworms, and lncRNA plays an important role in biological immune response and host-virus interaction, but there are relatively few studies in silkworms. In this study, the four midgut tissue samples of the resistance strain NB (NB) and susceptible strain 306 (306) and the NB and 306 continuously infected with BmNPV for 96 h are used for whole transcriptome sequencing to analyze the differences in the genetic background of NB and 306 and the differences after inoculation of BmNPV, and the significantly different mRNA, miRNA and lnRNA between NB and 306 after BmNPV inoculation were screened. By comparing NB and 306, 2651 significantly different mRNAs, 57 significantly different miRNAs and 198 significantly different lncRNAs were screened. By comparing NB and 306 after BmNPV inoculation, 2684 significantly different mRNAs, 39 significantly different miRNAs and 125 significantly different lncRNAs were screened. According to the significantly different mRNA, miRNA and lncRNA screened from NB and 306 and NB and 306 after virus inoculation, the mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA regulatory network was constructed before and after virus inoculation, and the BmBCAT-Bomo_chr7_8305-MSTRG.3236.2 regulatory axis was screened from them, and it was found that BmBCAT was not Bomo_chr7_8305 regulated in the genetic background, after viral infection, MSTRG.3236.2 competes for binding Bomo_chr7_8305 regulates BmBCAT. The whole transcriptome sequencing results were verified by qPCR and the time-series expression analysis was performed to prove the reliability of the regulatory network. The BmBCAT-Bomo_chr7_8305-MSTRG.3236.2 regulatory axis may play a potential role in the interaction between silkworms and BmNPV. These results provide new insights into the interaction mechanism between silkworms and BmNPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Liang Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Xiaoyong Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Shangshang Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Keping Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
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Xia J, Peng R, Fei S, Awais MM, Lai W, Huang Y, Wu H, Yu Y, Liang L, Swevers L, Sun J, Feng M. Systematic analysis of innate immune-related genes in the silkworm: Application to antiviral research. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38571329 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
The silkworm, a crucial model organism of the Lepidoptera, offers an excellent platform for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the innate immune response of insects toward pathogens. Over the years, researchers worldwide have identified numerous immune-related genes in silkworms. However, these identified silkworm immune genes are not well classified and not well known to the scientific community. With the availability of the latest genome data of silkworms and the extensive research on silkworm immunity, it has become imperative to systematically categorize the immune genes of silkworms with different database IDs. In this study, we present a meticulous organization of prevalent immune-related genes in the domestic silkworm, using the SilkDB 3.0 database as a reliable source for updated gene information. Furthermore, utilizing the available data, we classify the collected immune genes into distinct categories: pattern recognition receptors, classical immune pathways, effector genes and others. In-depth data analysis has enabled us to predict some potential antiviral genes. Subsequently, we performed antiviral experiments on selected genes, exploring their impact on Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus replication. The outcomes of this research furnish novel insights into the immune genes of the silkworm, consequently fostering advancements in the field of silkworm immunity research by establishing a comprehensive classification and functional understanding of immune-related genes in the silkworm. This study contributes to the broader understanding of insect immune responses and opens up new avenues for future investigations in the domain of host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junming Xia
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruoxuan Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shigang Fei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mian Muhammad Awais
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenxuan Lai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yigui Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hailin Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingying Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, National Center for Scientific Research Demokritos, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, Athens, Greece
| | - Jingchen Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Cui C, Tang X, Xing J, Sheng X, Chi H, Zhan W. Single-cell RNA-seq revealed heterogeneous responses and functional differentiation of hemocytes against white spot syndrome virus infection in Litopenaeus vannamei. J Virol 2024; 98:e0180523. [PMID: 38323810 PMCID: PMC10949519 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01805-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Shrimp hemocytes are the vital immune cells participating in innate immune response to defend against viruses. However, the lack of specific molecular markers for shrimp hemocyte hindered the insightful understanding of their functional clusters and differential roles in combating microbial infections. In this study, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to map the transcriptomic landscape of hemocytes from the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)-infected Litopenaeus vannamei and conjointly analyzed with our previous published single-cell RNA sequencing technology data from the healthy hemocytes. A total of 16 transcriptionally distinct cell clusters were identified, which occupied different proportions in healthy and WSSV-infected hemocytes and exerted differential roles in antiviral immune response. Following mapping of the sequencing data to the WSSV genome, we found that all types of hemocytes could be invaded by WSSV virions, especially the cluster 8, which showed the highest transcriptional levels of WSSV genes and exhibited a cell type-specific antiviral response to the viral infection. Further evaluation of the cell clusters revealed the delicate dynamic balance between hemocyte immune response and viral infestation. Unsupervised pseudo-time analysis of hemocytes showed that the hemocytes in immune-resting state could be significantly activated upon WSSV infection and then functionally differentiated to different hemocyte subsets. Collectively, our results revealed the differential responses of shrimp hemocytes and the process of immune-functional differentiation post-WSSV infection, providing essential resource for the systematic insight into the synergistic immune response mechanism against viral infection among hemocyte subtypes. IMPORTANCE Current knowledge of shrimp hemocyte classification mainly comes from morphology, which hinder in-depth characterization of cell lineage development, functional differentiation, and different immune response of hemocyte types during pathogenic infections. Here, single-cell RNA sequencing was used for mapping hemocytes during white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection in Litopenaeus vannamei, identifying 16 cell clusters and evaluating their potential antiviral functional characteristics. We have described the dynamic balance between viral infestation and hemocyte immunity. And the functional differentiation of hemocytes under WSSV stimulation was further characterized. Our results provided a comprehensive transcriptional landscape and revealed the heterogeneous immune response in shrimp hemocytes during WSSV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang Cui
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaoqian Tang
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Xing
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiuzhen Sheng
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Heng Chi
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Wenbin Zhan
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
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Sun LN, Meng JY, Wang Z, Lin SY, Shen J, Yan S. Research progress of aphid immunity system: Potential effective target for green pest management. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38415382 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Due to the absence of acquired immunity, insects primarily rely on their innate immune system to resist pathogenic microorganisms and parasitoids in natural habitats. This innate immune system can be classified into cellular immunity and humoral immunity. Cellular immunity is mediated by hemocytes, which perform phagocytosis, aggregation, and encapsulation to fight against invaders, whereas the humoral immunity primarily activates the immune signaling pathways and induces the generation of immune effectors. Existing studies have revealed that the hemipteran aphids lack some crucial immune genes compared to other insect species, indicating the different immune mechanisms in aphids. The current review summarizes the adverse impacts of pathogenic microorganisms and parasitoids on aphids, introduces the cellular and humoral immune systems in insects, and analyzes the differences between aphids and other insect species. Furthermore, our review also discussed the existing prospects and challenges in aphid immunity research, and proposed the potential application of immune genes in green pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Na Sun
- Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Yu Meng
- Guizhou Tobacco Science Research Institute, Guiyang, China
| | - Zeng Wang
- Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shi-Yang Lin
- Pu'er Agricultural Science Research Institute, Pu'er, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuo Yan
- Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Feng M, Fei S, Zou J, Xia J, Lai W, Huang Y, Swevers L, Sun J. Single-Nucleus Sequencing of Silkworm Larval Brain Reveals the Key Role of Lysozyme in the Antiviral Immune Response in Brain Hemocytes. J Innate Immun 2024; 16:173-187. [PMID: 38387449 PMCID: PMC10965234 DOI: 10.1159/000537815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The brain is considered as an immune-privileged organ, yet innate immune reactions can occur in the central nervous system of vertebrates and invertebrates. Silkworm (Bombyx mori) is an economically important insect and a lepidopteran model species. The diversity of cell types in the silkworm brain, and how these cell subsets produce an immune response to virus infection, remains largely unknown. METHODS Single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), bioinformatics analysis, RNAi, and other methods were mainly used to analyze the cell types and gene functions of the silkworm brain. RESULTS We used snRNA-seq to identify 19 distinct clusters representing Kenyon cell, glial cell, olfactory projection neuron, optic lobes neuron, hemocyte-like cell, and muscle cell types in the B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV)-infected and BmNPV-uninfected silkworm larvae brain at the late stage of infection. Further, we found that the cell subset that exerts an antiviral function in the silkworm larvae brain corresponds to hemocytes. Specifically, antimicrobial peptides were significantly induced by BmNPV infection in the hemocytes, especially lysozyme, exerting antiviral effects. CONCLUSION Our single-cell dataset reveals the diversity of silkworm larvae brain cells, and the transcriptome analysis provides insights into the immune response following virus infection at the single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shigang Fei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinglei Zou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junming Xia
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenxuan Lai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yigui Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, Athens, Greece
| | - Jingchen Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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6
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Adegoke A, Ribeiro JMC, Smith R, Karim S. Tick innate immune responses to hematophagy and Ehrlichia infection at single-cell resolution. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1305976. [PMID: 38274813 PMCID: PMC10808623 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1305976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Ticks rely on robust cellular and humoral responses to control microbial infection. However, several aspects of the tick's innate immune system remain uncharacterized, most notably that of the immune cells (called hemocytes), which are known to play a significant role in cellular and humoral responses. Despite the importance of hemocytes in regulating microbial infection, our understanding of their basic biology and molecular mechanisms remains limited. Therefore, we believe that a more detailed understanding of the role of hemocytes in the interactions between ticks and tick-borne microbes is crucial to illuminating their function in vector competence and to help identify novel targets for developing new strategies to block tick-borne pathogen transmission. Methods This study examined hemocytes from the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) at the transcriptomic level using the 10X genomics single-cell RNA sequencing platform to analyze hemocyte populations from unfed, partially blood-fed, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis-infected ticks. The functional role of differentially expressed hemocyte markers in hemocyte proliferation and Ehrlichia dissemination was determined using an RNA interference approach. Results and discussion Our data exhibit the identification of fourteen distinct hemocyte populations. Our results uncover seven distinct lineages present in uninfected and Ehrlichia-infected hemocyte clusters. The functional characterization of hemocytin, cystatin, fibronectin, and lipocalin demonstrate their role in hemocyte population changes, proliferation, and Ehrlichia dissemination. Conclusion Our results uncover the tick immune responses to Ehrlichia infection and hematophagy at a single-cell resolution. This work opens a new field of tick innate immunobiology to understand the role of hemocytes, particularly in response to prolonged blood-feeding (hematophagy), and tick-microbial interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulsalam Adegoke
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
| | - Jose M. C. Ribeiro
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Ryan C. Smith
- Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Shahid Karim
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
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Lu K, Pan Y, Shen J, Yang L, Zhan C, Liang S, Tai S, Wan L, Li T, Cheng T, Ma B, Pan G, He N, Lu C, Westhof E, Xiang Z, Han MJ, Tong X, Dai F. SilkMeta: a comprehensive platform for sharing and exploiting pan-genomic and multi-omic silkworm data. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:D1024-D1032. [PMID: 37941143 PMCID: PMC10767832 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The silkworm Bombyx mori is a domesticated insect that serves as an animal model for research and agriculture. The silkworm super-pan-genome dataset, which we published last year, is a unique resource for the study of global genomic diversity and phenotype-genotype association. Here we present SilkMeta (http://silkmeta.org.cn), a comprehensive database covering the available silkworm pan-genome and multi-omics data. The database contains 1082 short-read genomes, 546 long-read assembled genomes, 1168 transcriptomes, 294 phenotype characterizations (phenome), tens of millions of variations (variome), 7253 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), 18 717 full length transcripts and a set of population statistics. We have compiled publications on functional genomics research and genetic stock deciphering (mutant map). A range of bioinformatics tools is also provided for data visualization and retrieval. The large batch of omics data and tools were integrated in twelve functional modules that provide useful strategies and data for comparative and functional genomics research. The interactive bioinformatics platform SilkMeta will benefit not only the silkworm but also the insect biology communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunpeng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yifei Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jianghong Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Lin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Chengyu Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Shubo Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | | | - Linrong Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Tian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Tingcai Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Bi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Guoqing Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Ningjia He
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Cheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Eric Westhof
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, UPR9002 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67084, France
| | - Zhonghuai Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Min-Jin Han
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xiaoling Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Fangyin Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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Xia J, Fei S, Huang Y, Lai W, Yu Y, Liang L, Wu H, Swevers L, Sun J, Feng M. Single-nucleus sequencing of silkworm larval midgut reveals the immune escape strategy of BmNPV in the midgut during the late stage of infection. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 164:104043. [PMID: 38013005 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The midgut is an important barrier against microorganism invasion and proliferation, yet is the first tissue encountered when a baculovirus naturally invades the host. However, only limited knowledge is available how different midgut cell types contribute to the immune response and the clearance or promotion of viral infection. Here, single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA seq) was employed to analyze the responses of various cell subpopulations in the silkworm larval midgut to B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infection. We identified 22 distinct clusters representing enteroendocrine cells (EEs), enterocytes (ECs), intestinal stem cells (ISCs), Goblet cell-like and muscle cell types in the BmNPV-infected and uninfected silkworm larvae midgut at 72 h post infection. Further, our results revealed that the strategies for immune escape of BmNPV in the midgut at the late stage of infection include (1) inhibiting the response of antiviral pathways; (2) inhibiting the expression of antiviral host factors; (3) stimulating expression levels of genes promoting BmNPV replication. These findings suggest that the midgut, as the first line of defense against the invasion of the baculovirus, has dual characteristics of "resistance" and "tolerance". Our single-cell dataset reveals the diversity of silkworm larval midgut cells, and the transcriptome analysis provides insights into the interaction between host and virus infection at the single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junming Xia
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Shigang Fei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yigui Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Wenxuan Lai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yue Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Lingying Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Hailin Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, Athens, Greece.
| | - Jingchen Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Min Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
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Sun C, Shao Y, Iqbal J. Insect Insights at the Single-Cell Level: Technologies and Applications. Cells 2023; 13:91. [PMID: 38201295 PMCID: PMC10777908 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Single-cell techniques are a promising way to unravel the complexity and heterogeneity of transcripts at the cellular level and to reveal the composition of different cell types and functions in a tissue or organ. In recent years, advances in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) have further changed our view of biological systems. The application of scRNA-seq in insects enables the comprehensive characterization of both common and rare cell types and cell states, the discovery of new cell types, and revealing how cell types relate to each other. The recent application of scRNA-seq techniques to insect tissues has led to a number of exciting discoveries. Here we provide an overview of scRNA-seq and its application in insect research, focusing on biological applications, current challenges, and future opportunities to make new discoveries with scRNA-seq in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Sun
- Analysis Center of Agrobiology and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;
| | - Yongqi Shao
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Junaid Iqbal
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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10
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Hao Z, Lu Q, Zhou Y, Liang Y, Gao Y, Ma H, Xu Y, Wang H. Molecular characterization of MyD88 as a potential biomarker for pesticide-induced stress in Bombyx mori. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 196:105610. [PMID: 37945249 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of pesticides hampers the immune system of non-target organisms, however, there is a lack of common biomarkers to detect such effects. Myeloid differentiation primary response factor 88 (MyD88) is a crucial junction protein in the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, which plays an important role in the inflammatory response. In this study, we investigated MyD88 as a potential biomarker for pesticide-induced stress. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that MyD88 was a conserved protein in the evolution of vertebrates and invertebrates. MyD88s usually have death domain (DD) and Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain. Bombyx mori (B. mori) is an important economic insect that is sensitive to toxic substances. We found microbial pesticides enhanced the expression level of MyD88 in B. mori. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that MyD88 expression level was increased in the fatbody after dinotefuran exposure, a third-generation neonicotinoid pesticide. Moreover, the expression of MyD88 was upregulated in fatbody and midgut by imidacloprid, a first-generation neonicotinoid pesticide. Additionally, insect growth regulator (IGR) pesticides, such as methoprene and fenoxycarb, could induce MyD88 expression in the fatbody of B. mori. These results indicated that MyD88 is a potential biomarker for pesticide-induced stress in B. mori. This study provides novel insights into screening common biomarkers for multiple pesticide stresses and important implications for the development of more sustainable pest management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihua Hao
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingyu Lu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanyan Zhou
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanting Liang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yun Gao
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huanyan Ma
- Agricultural Technology Extension Center of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yusong Xu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huabing Wang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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11
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Virgolini N, Silvano M, Hagan R, Correia R, Alves PM, Clarke C, Roldão A, Isidro IA. Impact of dual-baculovirus infection on the Sf9 insect cell transcriptome during rAAV production using single-cell RNA-seq. Biotechnol Bioeng 2023; 120:2588-2600. [PMID: 36919374 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
The insect cell-baculovirus expression vector system (IC-BEVS) has shown to be a powerful platform to produce complex biopharmaceutical products, such as recombinant proteins and virus-like particles. More recently, IC-BEVS has also been used as an alternative to produce recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV). However, little is known about the variability of insect cell populations and the potential effect of heterogeneity (e.g., stochastic infection process and differences in infection kinetics) on product titer and/or quality. In this study, transcriptomics analysis of Sf9 insect cells during the production of rAAV of serotype 2 (rAAV2) using a low multiplicity of infection, dual-baculovirus system was performed via single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq). Before infection, the principal source of variability in Sf9 insect cells was associated with the cell cycle. Over the course of infection, an increase in transcriptional heterogeneity was detected, which was linked to the expression of baculovirus genes as well as to differences in rAAV transgenes (rep, cap and gfp) expression. Noteworthy, at 24 h post-infection, only 29.4% of cells enclosed all three necessary rAAV transgenes to produce packed rAAV2 particles, indicating limitations of the dual-baculovirus system. In addition, the trajectory analysis herein performed highlighted that biological processes such as protein folding, metabolic processes, translation, and stress response have been significantly altered upon infection. Overall, this work reports the first application of scRNA-seq to the IC-BEVS and highlights significant variations in individual cells within the population, providing insight into the rational cell and process engineering toward improved rAAV2 production in IC-BEVS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaus Virgolini
- IBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Marco Silvano
- IBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ryan Hagan
- National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - Ricardo Correia
- IBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Paula M Alves
- IBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Colin Clarke
- National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - António Roldão
- IBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Inês A Isidro
- IBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
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12
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Hong X, Wang Y, Wang K, Wei C, Li W, Yu L, Xu H, Zhu J, Zhu X, Liu X. Single-Cell Atlas Reveals the Hemocyte Subpopulations and Stress Responses in Asian Giant Softshell Turtle during Hibernation. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:994. [PMID: 37508424 PMCID: PMC10376416 DOI: 10.3390/biology12070994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Hibernation in turtle species is an adaptive survival strategy to colder winter conditions or food restrictions. However, the mechanisms underlying seasonal adaptions remain unclear. In the present study, we collected hemocytes from Pelochelys cantorii and compared the molecular signature of these cells between the active state and hibernation period based on single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis. We found six cell types and identified a list of new marker genes for each cell subpopulation. Moreover, several heat shock genes, including the Hsp40 family chaperone gene (DNAJ) and HSP temperature-responsive genes (HSPs), were upregulated during the hibernation period, which predicted these genes may play crucial roles in the stress response during hibernation. Additionally, compared to hemocytes in the active state, several upregulated differentially expressed immune-related genes, such as stat1, traf3, and socs6, were identified in hemocytes during the hibernation period, thus indicating the important immune function of hemocytes. Therefore, our findings provide a unified classification of P. cantorii hemocytes and identify the genes related to the stress response, thereby providing a better understanding of the adaptive mechanisms of hibernation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyou Hong
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
| | - Yakun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
| | - Kaikuo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
- College of Life Science and Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Chengqing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
| | - Lingyun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
| | - Haoyang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
- College of Life Science and Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Junxian Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
- College of Life Science and Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Xinping Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
- College of Life Science and Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
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13
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Xiao Z, Yao X, Bai S, Wei J, An S. Involvement of an Enhanced Immunity Mechanism in the Resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis in Lepidopteran Pests. INSECTS 2023; 14:151. [PMID: 36835720 PMCID: PMC9965922 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is the safest, economically successful entomopathogen to date. It is extensively produced in transgenic crops or used in spray formulations to control Lepidopteran pests. The most serious threat to the sustainable usage of Bt is insect resistance. The resistance mechanisms to Bt toxins depend not only on alterations in insect receptors, but also on the enhancement of insect immune responses. In this work, we review the current knowledge of the immune response and resistance of insects to Bt formulations and Bt proteins, mainly in Lepidopteran pests. We discuss the pattern recognition proteins for recognizing Bt, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their synthetic signaling pathways, the prophenoloxidase system, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, nodulation, encapsulation, phagocytosis, and cell-free aggregates, which are involved in immune response reactions or resistance to Bt. This review also analyzes immune priming, which contributes to the evolution of insect resistance to Bt, and puts forward strategies to improve the insecticidal activity of Bt formulations and manage insect resistance, targeting the insect immune responses and resistance.
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14
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Xin F, Zhang X. Hallmarks of crustacean immune hemocytes at single-cell resolution. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1121528. [PMID: 36761772 PMCID: PMC9902875 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1121528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In invertebrates, hemocytes are the key factors in innate immunity. However, the types of invertebrate immune hemocytes are unclassified due to the limitation of morphological classification. To determine the immune hemocytes of crustaceans, the heterogeneity of hemocytes of shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus and crayfish Procambarus clarkii, two representative crustacean species, were characterized in this study. The results of single-cell RNA sequencing indicated that shrimp and crayfish contained 11 and 12 types of hemocytes, respectively. Each of different types of hemocytes specifically expressed the potential marker genes. Based on the responses of shrimp and crayfish to the infection of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and the challenge of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), four types of immune hemocytes of crustaceans were classified, including semi-granular hemocytes involved in antimicrobial peptide production, granular hemocytes responsible for the production of antimicrobial peptides, hemocytes related to cell proliferation and hemocytes in immunity-activated state. Therefore, our study provided the first classification of crustacean hemocytes as well as of immune hemocytes of crustaceans at the single-cell resolution, which would be helpful to understand the innate immunity of invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Xin
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology of Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China,*Correspondence: Xiaobo Zhang,
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15
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Ahlawat S, Sharma KK. Lepidopteran insects: emerging model organisms to study infection by enteropathogens. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2022; 68:181-196. [PMID: 36417090 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-022-01014-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The in vivo analysis of a pathogen is a critical step in gaining greater knowledge of pathogen biology and host-pathogen interactions. In the last two decades, there has been a notable rise in the number of studies on developing insects as a model for studying pathogens, which provides various benefits, such as ethical acceptability, relatively short life cycle, and cost-effective care and maintenance relative to routinely used rodent infection models. Furthermore, lepidopteran insects provide many advantages, such as easy handling and tissue extraction due to their large size relative to other invertebrate models, like Caenorhabditis elegans. Additionally, insects have an innate immune system that is highly analogous to vertebrates. In the present review, we discuss the components of the insect's larval immune system, which strengthens its usage as an alternative host, and present an updated overview of the research findings involving lepidopteran insects (Galleria mellonella, Manduca sexta, Bombyx mori, and Helicoverpa armigera) as infection models to study the virulence by enteropathogens due to the homology between insect and vertebrate gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Ahlawat
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, SGT University, Gurgaon-Badli Road Chandu, Budhera, Gurugram, 122505, Haryana, India.
| | - Krishna Kant Sharma
- Laboratory of Enzymology and Recombinant DNA Technology, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, 124001, Haryana, India
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16
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Intracellular cytokine detection based on flow cytometry in hemocytes from Galleria mellonella larvae: A new protocol. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274120. [PMID: 36173940 PMCID: PMC9521830 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Invertebrates are becoming increasingly popular models for research on the immune system. The innate immunity possessed by insects shows both structural and functional similarity to the resistance displayed by mammals, and many processes occurring in insect hemocytes are similar to those that occur in mammals. However, the use of insects as research models requires the development of methods for working with hemocytes. The aim of this study was to develop a protocol for intracellular cytokine detection in Galleria mellonella larvae hemocytes based on flow cytometry. It describes the anticoagulant composition of the buffer, the optimal conditions for hemocyte permeabilization and fixation, as well as the conditions of cell centrifugation to prevent cell disintegration. A key element is the selection of staining conditions, especially the length of the incubation time with the primary antibody, which turned out to be much longer than recommended for mammalian cells. The development of these individual steps allowed for the creation of a reproducible protocol for cytokine detection using flow cytometry in wax moth hemocytes. This will certainly facilitate the development of further protocols allowing for wider use of insect cells in immunological research.
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17
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Cardoso-Jaime V, Tikhe CV, Dong S, Dimopoulos G. The Role of Mosquito Hemocytes in Viral Infections. Viruses 2022; 14:v14102088. [PMID: 36298644 PMCID: PMC9608948 DOI: 10.3390/v14102088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect hemocytes are the only immune cells that can mount a humoral and cellular immune response. Despite the critical involvement of hemocytes in immune responses against bacteria, fungi, and parasites in mosquitoes, our understanding of their antiviral potential is still limited. It has been shown that hemocytes express humoral factors such as TEP1, PPO, and certain antimicrobial peptides that are known to restrict viral infections. Insect hemocytes also harbor the major immune pathways, such as JAK/STAT, TOLL, IMD, and RNAi, which are critical for the control of viral infection. Recent research has indicated a role for hemocytes in the regulation of viral infection through RNA interference and autophagy; however, the specific mechanism by which this regulation occurs remains uncharacterized. Conversely, some studies have suggested that hemocytes act as agonists of arboviral infection because they lack basal lamina and circulate throughout the whole mosquito, likely facilitating viral dissemination to other tissues such as salivary glands. In addition, hemocytes produce arbovirus agonist factors such as lectins, which enhance viral infection. Here, we summarize our current understanding of hemocytes’ involvement in viral infections.
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18
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Pichon R, Pinaud S, Vignal E, Chaparro C, Pratlong M, Portet A, Duval D, Galinier R, Gourbal B. Single cell RNA sequencing reveals hemocyte heterogeneity in Biomphalaria glabrata: Plasticity over diversity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:956871. [PMID: 36131936 PMCID: PMC9484523 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.956871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata is an intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni, the agent of human intestinal schistosomiasis. However, much is to be discovered about its innate immune system that appears as a complex black box, in which the immune cells (called hemocytes) play a major role in both cellular and humoral response towards pathogens. Until now, hemocyte classification has been based exclusively on cell morphology and ultrastructural description and depending on the authors considered from 2 to 5 hemocyte populations have been described. In this study, we proposed to evaluate the hemocyte heterogeneity at the transcriptomic level. To accomplish this objective, we used single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) technology coupled to a droplet-based system to separate hemocytes and analyze their transcriptome at a unique cell level in naive Biomphalaria glabrata snails. We were able to demonstrate the presence of 7 hemocyte transcriptomic populations defined by the expression of specific marker genes. As a result, scRNAseq approach showed a high heterogeneity within hemocytes, but provides a detailed description of the different hemocyte transcriptomic populations in B. glabrata supported by distinct cellular functions and lineage trajectory. As a main result, scRNAseq revealed the 3 main population as a super-group of hemocyte diversity but, on the contrary, a great hemocytes plasticity with a probable capacity of hemocytes to engage to different activation pathways. This work opens a new field of research to understand the role of hemocytes particularly in response to pathogens, and towards S. mansoni parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rémi Pichon
- IHPE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Silvain Pinaud
- Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Center, Cancer Research UK, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Emmanuel Vignal
- IHPE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, Montpellier, France
| | - Cristian Chaparro
- IHPE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Marine Pratlong
- Plateforme MGX - Montpellier GenomiX, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France
| | - Anaïs Portet
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David Duval
- IHPE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Richard Galinier
- IHPE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Benjamin Gourbal
- IHPE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
- *Correspondence: Benjamin Gourbal,
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19
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Hultmark D, Andó I. Hematopoietic plasticity mapped in Drosophila and other insects. eLife 2022; 11:78906. [PMID: 35920811 PMCID: PMC9348853 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemocytes, similar to vertebrate blood cells, play important roles in insect development and immunity, but it is not well understood how they perform their tasks. New technology, in particular single-cell transcriptomic analysis in combination with Drosophila genetics, may now change this picture. This review aims to make sense of recently published data, focusing on Drosophila melanogaster and comparing to data from other drosophilids, the malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, and the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Basically, the new data support the presence of a few major classes of hemocytes: (1) a highly heterogenous and plastic class of professional phagocytes with many functions, called plasmatocytes in Drosophila and granular cells in other insects. (2) A conserved class of cells that control melanin deposition around parasites and wounds, called crystal cells in D. melanogaster, and oenocytoids in other insects. (3) A new class of cells, the primocytes, so far only identified in D. melanogaster. They are related to cells of the so-called posterior signaling center of the larval hematopoietic organ, which controls the hematopoiesis of other hemocytes. (4) Different kinds of specialized cells, like the lamellocytes in D. melanogaster, for the encapsulation of parasites. These cells undergo rapid evolution, and the homology relationships between such cells in different insects are uncertain. Lists of genes expressed in the different hemocyte classes now provide a solid ground for further investigation of function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Hultmark
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - István Andó
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Genetics, Innate Immunity Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Szeged, Hungary
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20
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Li Y, Zhou F, Yang Q, Jiang S, Huang J, Yang L, Ma Z, Jiang S. Single-Cell Sequencing Reveals Types of Hepatopancreatic Cells and Haemocytes in Black Tiger Shrimp ( Penaeus monodon) and Their Molecular Responses to Ammonia Stress. Front Immunol 2022; 13:883043. [PMID: 35603188 PMCID: PMC9114817 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.883043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell types and developmental trajectories of shrimp cells based on the transcriptional level have not been established, and gene expression profile and function at the single-cell level is unclear. We aimed to use scRNA-seq to construct a single-cell resolution transcriptional map of hepatopancreas and haemocytes in shrimp to analyse the molecular mechanisms of the immune response to ammonia nitrogen stress. In the present study, seven cell clusters were successfully identified in each of the two tissues (haemocytes, Hem1-7; hepatopancreas, Hep1-7) based on specifically-expressed marker genes. The developmental starting points of haemocytes and hepatopancreatic cells were Hem2 and Hep1, respectively. We propose that Hem2 has oligopotent potential as the initiation site for haemocyte development and that Hem4 and Hem5, located at the end of development, are the most mature immune cell types in haemocytes. Hep5 and Hep6 were the developing terminal cells of hepatopancreas. The antioxidant system and proPO system of shrimp were activated under ammonia nitrogen stress. A large number of DEGs were involved in oxidative stress, detoxification metabolism, and immune defence. In particular, important response genes such as AMPs, proPO, and GST were not only marker genes for identifying cell groups but also played an important role in shrimp cell differentiation and functional plasticity. By successfully applying 10× Genomics based scRNA-seq to the study of shrimp, the single-cell transcriptional profiles of hepatopancreatic cells and haemocytes of shrimp innate immune responses under ammonia stress were constructed for the first time. This atlas of invertebrate hepatopancreatic cells and haemocytes at single-cell resolution identifies molecular events that underpin shrimp innate immune system responses to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yundong Li
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Hydrobiology and Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Hainan Aquaculture Breeding Engineering Research Center, College of Marine Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China.,Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
| | - Falin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Qibin Yang
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Song Jiang
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianhua Huang
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lishi Yang
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenhua Ma
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shigui Jiang
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
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Does Bacillus thuringiensis Affect the Stress and Immune Responses of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Larvae, Females, and Males in the Same Way? INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13050437. [PMID: 35621773 PMCID: PMC9145660 DOI: 10.3390/insects13050437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Rhynchophorus ferrugineus is a destructive quarantine pest of palm trees, now widely distributed. Although broad-spectrum insecticides are often used to protect palm against R. ferrugineus, there is increasing concern about their effects on the environment and human health, especially where palm trees are located in urban areas. As an environmentally friendly entomopathogen, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been widely used to prevent other pest infestations. Although Bt products are the most sold bio-insecticides, there are still many interesting features to be investigated in the relationship of Bt and its hosts. We investigated the effect of Bt on larvae, females, and males. This research yielded experimental evidence of significant mortality and significant effects on immune system and stress answer. Within a few hours, stress due to Bt infection was detected in the hemocytes and in the brain providing better insights into the insect-pathogen interaction and highlighting the potential use of Bt in R. ferrugineus management. Abstract Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is considered a potentially useful entomopathogen against red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. We compared the effects of Bt on mature larvae, females, and males. The pathogenicity of Bt was evaluated, estimating: Median Lethal Dose (LD50), Median Lethal Time (LT50), Total Hemocyte Count (THC), and Differential Hemocyte Counts (DHC), and the expression of the stress protein Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp 70) in hemocytes and the brain. Mortality exhibited a positive trend with the dosage and duration of exposure to Bt. Larvae were more susceptible than adults, and the LD50 of females was almost double the value of that of the larvae. LT50 value was higher for females than for males and larvae. Treatment with sub-lethal doses of Bt induced a decrease in THC in larvae, females, and males. In treated larvae, plasmatocytes decreased, while oenocytes and spherulocytes increased. In treated females, all types of hemocytes decreased, while in males the number of plasmatocytes decreased and granulocytes increased. We also registered the stress response directly on hemocytes showing that, already at 3 h after eating Bt, the expression of the stress protein Hsp 70 was modulated. This effect was also observed in brain tissue at 6 h after treatment. The results confirm that Bt treatment induces a pathogenic state in larvae and adults of both sexes, with effects after only a few hours from ingestion; however, the effects are different in magnitude and in type of target.
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Feng M, Swevers L, Sun J. Hemocyte Clusters Defined by scRNA-Seq in Bombyx mori: In Silico Analysis of Predicted Marker Genes and Implications for Potential Functional Roles. Front Immunol 2022; 13:852702. [PMID: 35281044 PMCID: PMC8914287 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.852702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the hemolymph, insect hemocytes constitute a heterogeneous population of macrophage-like cells that play important roles in innate immunity, homeostasis and development. Classification of hemocytes in different subtypes by size, morphology and biochemical or immunological markers has been difficult and only in Drosophila extensive genetic analysis allowed the construction of a coherent picture of hemocyte differentiation from pro-hemocytes to granulocytes, crystal cells and plasmatocytes. However, the advent of high-throughput single cell technologies, such as single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), is bound to have a high impact on the study of hemocytes subtypes and their phenotypes in other insects for which a sophisticated genetic toolbox is not available. Instead of averaging gene expression across all cells as occurs in bulk-RNA-seq, scRNA-seq allows high-throughput and specific visualization of the differentiation status of individual cells. With scRNA-seq, interesting cell types can be identified in heterogeneous populations and direct analysis of rare cell types is possible. Next to its ability to profile the transcriptomes of individual cells in tissue samples, scRNA-seq can be used to propose marker genes that are characteristic of different hemocyte subtypes and predict their functions. In this perspective, the identities of the different marker genes that were identified by scRNA-seq analysis to define 13 distinct cell clusters of hemocytes in larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, are discussed in detail. The analysis confirms the broad division of hemocytes in granulocytes, plasmatocytes, oenocytoids and perhaps spherulocytes but also reveals considerable complexity at the molecular level and highly specialized functions. In addition, predicted hemocyte marker genes in Bombyx generally show only limited convergence with the genes that are considered characteristic for hemocyte subtypes in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Aghia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
| | - Jingchen Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Mann M, Saha S, Cicero JM, Pitino M, Moulton K, Hunter WB, Cano LM, Mueller LA, Heck M. Lessons learned about the biology and genomics of Diaphorina citri infection with "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" by integrating new and archived organ-specific transcriptome data. Gigascience 2022; 11:6575386. [PMID: 35482489 PMCID: PMC9049105 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giac035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Huanglongbing, a devastating disease of citrus, is caused by the obligate, intracellular bacterium “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” (CLas). CLas is transmitted by Diaphorina citri, the Asian citrus psyllid. Development of transmission-blocking strategies to manage huanglongbing relies on knowledge of CLas and D. citri interactions at the molecular level. Prior transcriptome analyses of D. citri point to changes in psyllid biology due to CLas infection but have been hampered by incomplete versions of the D. citri genome, proper host plant controls, and/or a lack of a uniform data analysis approach. In this work, we present lessons learned from a quantitative transcriptome analysis of excised heads, salivary glands, midguts, and bacteriomes from CLas-positive and CLas-negative D. citri using the chromosomal length D. citri genome assembly. Results Each organ had a unique transcriptome profile and response to CLas infection. Though most psyllids were infected with the bacterium, CLas-derived transcripts were not detected in all organs. By analyzing the midgut dataset using both the Diaci_v1.1 and v3.0 D. citri genomes, we showed that improved genome assembly led to significant and quantifiable differences in RNA-sequencing data interpretation. Conclusions Our results support the hypothesis that future transcriptome studies on circulative, vector-borne pathogens should be conducted at the tissue-specific level using complete, chromosomal-length genome assemblies for the most accurate understanding of pathogen-induced changes in vector gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Mann
- Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Surya Saha
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Joseph M Cicero
- School of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | | | - Kathy Moulton
- U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Unit of Subtropical Insects and Horticulture, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA
| | - Wayne B Hunter
- U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Unit of Subtropical Insects and Horticulture, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA
| | - Liliana M Cano
- Indian River Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA
| | | | - Michelle Heck
- Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.,Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.,Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit, Robert W. Holley Center, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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